Okuzeka
Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Police Investigation & Arrest

On the run

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

idiomCommon term

In criminal law & justice, on the run means: Trying to avoid being caught by the police, usually by hiding or moving from place to place after a crime or an escape.

In Turkish: firari, kaçak, polisten kaçıyor

How it is used

Common in news and police appeals: 'be on the run', 'go on the run', 'after three weeks on the run'. Police may describe the person as 'wanted' and ask the public not to approach them. The more formal noun is 'fugitive'.

Example sentences

  1. The suspect has been on the run since Friday.

  2. After two months on the run, he was arrested at a friend's flat.

  3. She went on the run after missing her court date.

Common collocations

  • be on the run
  • go on the run
  • on the run from the police
  • after weeks on the run
  • warrantAn official document signed by a judge that allows the police to do something, such as arrest a person or search a property.
  • turn yourself inTo go to the police on your own and let them arrest you, especially when they are already looking for you.
  • arrestTo take a person into police control using legal powers, usually because they are suspected of a crime; the noun 'arrest' names this act.
  • suspectA person whom the police believe may have committed a crime but who has not yet been charged or found guilty.

More terms: Police Investigation & Arrest

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.